Chapter Text
Prapai looked at his watch impatiently waiting while simultaneously fighting back the incoming headache.
He should be resting by now, but some moron decided to be stupid today, just as Prapai’s plane landed.
“Khun Prapai.” He looked at his secretary, Namtan, as she walked up to him.
“Just fire him Namtan, I really want to get some rest.” He tried calming himself down.
“You cannot just fire him Sir, he is one of the board members.” Namtan reminded him, already used to his absurd demands.
“Fine! Give me the fucking report!” He hissed as he grabbed the folder that Namtan had been handing him since he got off the plane.
He couldn’t fathom how someone who liked to boast about their experience fuck something so bad they had to call him, someone they used to look down on everytime he came with his father into a meeting.
Now here he is, back in London to clean up the mess of another incompetent nincompoop.
He knew that despite the opposition from these so called board of directors, one word from his father and they’d all just shut up.
But he didn’t want that, he wanted to show them just how good he is with his work.
But there are just times that everything becomes too much and he would just think of going somewhere and live as peacefully as he could. Away from all those judging eyes, whispered insults and even away from his family. Don’t get him wrong, he loved his family to the bone but sometimes, they’re also just too much to deal with.
After dealing with the mess and fixing everything, Prapai decided to stay in London to oversee everything to its end.
It was partly because he truly wanted to take a break away from his chaotic family, and away from the judging eyes of those old men who call themselves board members.
Meanwhile, in a certain University…
Sky looked around as he sat down in his dream University’s Auditorium.
It’s Orientation Day for all freshmen students, he is expecting to have a quiet and peaceful life. And he truly believed that, not until someone sat right beside him. At first he didn’t really pay attention to him, but the other man started talking to him.
“Hi! You’re an Architecture student as well?” The other asked with a bunny smile.
“I am.” He answered, not wanting to be rude, but also not really wanting to keep the conversation going.
“Oh! Nice! I am too! I’m Varain, you can call me Rain!” His smile never wavered even when Sky answered coldly.
Sky only nodded, but the other didn't seem unfazed and just started chatting away about almost anything and everything at the same time.
That was the first time he met Rain, when he found out that he and Rain shared all of their subjects together, the other stuck to him like glue.
He tried avoiding him but alas, Rain is quite the positive person who only sees the good in people.
Weeks passed, Sky got used to Rain and to be honest he knew almost everything about Rain than he knew about most people. And to his surprise, without him intentionally sharing things about him, Rain, with all his naive innocence, caught on to Sky’s habits. It only shows that he had been watching Sky from all the times they’ve spent together, it hasn’t even been a year and they’re already best friends.
It was the start of their second semester as first years when Sky had to look for yet another part time job.
He knew that despite having a full scholarship, Architecture would be demanding in terms of monetary funds for projects and even assignments.
“Come on Sky, I told you I have extra materials, Mae also said that she can buy you some as well…” Rain pouted in front of him, as he blocked Sky’s apartment door.
He knew how much Rain Mae liked him, but he’s just not used to having someone providing him with anything.
Sky had been orphaned at the early age of three, the care takers in the Orphanage told him that some men just gave him to them saying that his parents died and they can’t really take care of the young boy.
The Orphanage has been a wonderful place, given that it’s slowly lacking in funding.
When Sky was 15, he started doing odd but decent jobs that would allow a minor to work. He always gave half of his earnings to the Orphanage to help, it was refused at first but they finally accepted when more children were brought in.
Now, Sky worked three jobs, different days in a week, but he knew he had to start looking for a fourth one, since Architecture Materials is quite expensive even with the cheapest selection. The apartment he was staying at had almost been from charity as well, one of the Orphanage’s volunteers owned the building and had offered to give Sky the smallest unit for half the price.
He gladly accepted it knowing full well that he’d only need just enough space for a bed and a table. For a drafting table he had decided to just use the ones in Uni, since he’d only be working on his free times.
“Sky? Come on, na? Please let Rain help this one time! You can look for another job after this semester~ Na? Na?” Rain held Sky’s hand.
He couldn’t understand why Rain had to ask for permission to help him. Was it because he’s really too independent?
“What do you mean by after the semester? Rain?” Sky raised one eyebrow at his friend who looked everywhere but him.
“Answer me Rain. Please tell me you didn’t ask Mae to buy my supplies as well…” Sky knew the answer, but he’s getting frustrated at how Rain could decide on something like this. He already checked the materials’ prices and it’s not a small amount.
“B-But! You’re just always so tired? And- And I want you to at least have time to rest! It wasn’t just my decision, Mae saw you last month, and she said you looked so exhausted. And it slipped my tongue t-that you were working t-three different jobs…” Rain’s words were almost a whisper when he finished.
Sky had to stop himself from face palming.
That had been their exam week, true, Sky looked like a zombie back then, since he’s still working and studying for the exams, not to mention their final projects.
He finally sighed and pulled Rain towards the only available chairs in his apartment.
“Promise me, this will be the last time Rain.” Sky looked straight to his eyes, Rain’s face brightened immediately.
“You’re not angry?”
“Rain…”
“Fine, I promise! Next time I’ll ask you first.”
“That’s not- Urgh. Fine! Whatever!”
~Six Months Later~
Prapai took off his sunglasses as he walked towards the waiting car.
“Khun Prapai, welcome back.” The men bowed to him.
He just waved them away and got into the vehicle.
“What’s my schedule for this week Namtan?”
“You are to meet Khun Kinn and Khun Porsche for dinner tonight, tomorrow you have a meeting with the board of directors for the finalization of the London Branch transfer. Khun Kinn had instructed me to give you the rest of the week as your rest after the meeting.”
Prapai almost grumbled at that. Of course those old geezers would want a report on the success and transfer of operation of the London Branch!
“I’ll head to the Compound now, tell my Parents that I am on my way. I will take a short nap on the way”
An hour later, he arrived at their Family Compound.
“Welcome back son!” He was greeted by his smiling Pa.
“It’s good to see you Pa.” He gave him a hug.
“Your dad’s waiting for us. Come.”
Dinner went peacefully, as peaceful as it can when his Dad would always find a way to ask him when he would finally get a wife.
“I have told you so many times Dad, I am way too busy to find myself a wife.”
“A husband then?” Prapai had to stop his eyes from rolling.
“No. Just no. If you won’t stop asking these questions, I will be taking my leave. Sorry Pa, I hope you’ll have a good rest of the night.” He didn’t wait for either of his parents to answer and just stood up.
On his way out though, he saw his cousin, Phayu.
“Pai.” He called.
“Hey, Yu…” He gave him a slight hug before walking with him.
“How was your dinner?” Phayu asked, although judging from his cousin’s expression, it’s the same old thing again.
“He never shuts up about me finding a wife.” Phayu chuckled.
“You can’t blame him though? When was the last time you actually dated and not just a fling?” Phayu asked.
“Like you’re one to talk. I’m just so busy with the company, okay? You know all too well how busy we both became when Dad and Uncle transferred their positions to us.”
“That, I know very well…” Phayu sighed.
“I’ll get going now, I want to get at least a good night’s rest before I have to face those old idiots tomorrow.”
“Goodnight Pai. I’ll see you in the office tomorrow, I’ll be there too, you know.”
This day couldn’t get any worse, Prapai thought.
First the narrow mindedness of those idiotic board members, and now his father’s insistence on him going to blind dates and even blackmailing him by saying that he would cut off all of Prapai’s finances.
‘No, I’ve had enough.’
“Son! Prapai! Calm down, please let’s talk about it first.” Prapai continued walking to his office but didn’t really close the door so his Pa could still enter.
“No, Pa. I am leaving. If I have to finally step down from this position he had conveniently given men then so be it. I’d rather have my freedom than be his puppet. I won’t bend to everything he says, I’ve abided by his rules, his wants… But not this Pa. Not my personal life. I’m sorry, I know that this is hurting you, but I can’t take anymore of him dominating each and every decision I make. I’d rather live a life of poverty than be affluent and be dictated in everything I do.” Prapai was heaving as he said the last words, he’s had enough of his father.
True, he had given Prapai everything money could buy, his Pa had alway given him all the love and care he could give. It’s not that his father, Kinn, was indifferent, he’s just too controlling.
“Don’t leave us please… Don’t- Don’t cut ties with us, form me…” His Pa was already shedding tears but he had to solidify his resolve, his Pa had always been his pillar, whenever everything became too much, but not this time.
“I’m sorry Pa…” Prapai said with a final tone.
“H-How about this! You take a break? Away from everything, away from us, but please… Please don’t cut ties with me… Even if you’re away, please always update me… I can provide you with everything you will need. You don’t have to think about money-”
“Pa, I am old enough. And Dad may have been providing everything for me, but you have to remember, I still have a salary, and I haven’t touched a cent since I started working in the company. I have my own money Pa, I can provide for myself. And I promise I will reach out to you… Can you give me at least a year then? To cool off from everything?” Prapai asked, he’s just too soft for his Pa.
“Okay. Okay! One year! Promise you’ll be back after a year.”
“I will be. I promise.” Prapai smiled before hugging his Pa goodbye.